Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-13

DER contemporary the Capital may think that
The school book 1end who tempts by Offering new
books for old, without expense Is O new and
extraordinary sort OF devil IN whom angelic traits
predominate; but he isn't. The fiend Aforesaid as
su;nes many shapes, and In none Jas the people OF
Washington well know Is he more at home, more
Gelusive and deadly 10 his Victims and more cum
nlngiy selfish. than when he cries. "New lamps for
OdI New lamps for Old,D Unless this particularly
insidious ffend and the evil spirits which cause
blindness have taken full possession OF the
Ctpital. it Will open its eyes, renounce the
textbook devil IN all his shapes. and en-
press cOntri;ion for making faces at THE
STAR because IL gave voice to the natural desire
that text book claiming 10 give special consider
alton 20 local geography should picture the Wash
layton OF the present, and not draw its material
from ancient history. Undoubtedly some OF the
criticisms upon the lew geography are we'll found
ed. The STAR did no. attempt, however, to weigh
the comparative merits OF the Old and substituted
books. but dealt With the general question OF the
best form Of school management. more peril
nent response to the opinions expressed In this
column is found, therefore, in the state
ment OF some OF the trustees and COM
miSsioners. that the sO-cGIled advisory board
has al the power that IL wants, and more than
any other school board has had. III that Is so, the
reorganization OF the trustees as an advisory
board and the formal assumption OF authority by
the Commissioners, were acts IN O farce, damaging
To the schools and gratifying only IN the indirect
accomplishment OF personal ends. But, as the
representative citizens board desired is not one
which varies in power according to its per-
sonnet, or IN accordance with the pres
sure applied TO the Commissioners, 1t does
not appear that legislation concerning our
School system IS unnecessary. While the
STAR has opposed and does oppose the substitution
@. commissioners and flexible advisory board for
g representative citizens board in the manage
n,"nt 81 The pubic Schools IL has little sympathy
with the methods adopted IN the second school
division IN the course Of the controversy. Ii does
lot bei.cTe that any one should have been per-
United to PIT the central committee Of citizens in
the attitude OF slubbing the school board for its
apparently wcl-Ieant offer TO cooperate and fur
nLsh desired Information. Ii does not favor dis
tracing pupils and teachers and interfering With
the wOr1 Of the schools either by turning them
10 volunteer examiners, or by subjecting the
teachers 10 essve series o. questions, answers
10 al OF which that arc pertinent could doubtless
be obtained fTOI1 The school board. under its offer
Of cooperation. There are J great many citizens
IN the District who favor 4 more representative
management OF the schools, anu indeed OF all local
affairs, 80 FAR as may lie consistent with the
peculiar conditions Of the District. But this is not
The time Tor q small group to bare It's red right
arm, draw its snicECTSnee, and proclaim its nten-
ton 70 STAY The Commissioners Single-hdnded, be-
fore the eyes OF the ncXt Congress. II the move
Hlent OF citizen, is 10 have amy good and peTma-
ncat effect timely steps should be taken to suppress
stopping over The organized citizens OF the
DISCREET can act with vig0r aud enect, without
losing fairness, courtesy and self-controi.